Blk beauty B string- why is it so thin near the ball end?

[quadrogong]

I'm sure it's been asked before but I didn't know how to word it in a search

What is it called when the first 3 inches of the string tapers off?
It won't setup correctly, (obviously) my bass was setup for a standard set, not tapered.

this type of string bottoms out against the frets , the bit on top of the saddle is so thin, I can't achieve any string height.

Is there any kind of trick to compensate for it?

I considered rigging up a shim between the saddle & string,temporarily, until I get a proper set.
.. it seems like it just won't work.

Is there something on the package I should look for, to avoid this type of set? ( to avoid wasting $ in the future)

Do DR's say," tapered"? Or something like that on the package ?

any way to temporarily jury rig it?
Or should I just give them to a friend?
( I only purchased two single B strings)

[mmbongo]

It's tapered, pretty common for large strings like B and E strings. It makes them easier to fit it top load bridges (some won't even work with a non-tapered string). Some say it lets the string vibrate easier and makes it sound better.

All you have to do is raise your B string saddle a couple of turns to raise it a little, very simple to do.

And if you think those are tapered, look at my GHS Progressives..now THIS is tapered! But it's next to impossible to get a non tapered B string in that bridge.

[mmbongo]

And if you still want a non-tapered Black Beauty, order them here:
DR Black Beauties Single - Low B String
You want the .125 non-tapered.

But again, all you have to do is raise your saddle. Any halfway decent bridge can accommodate.

[Ewo]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

But again, all you have to do is raise your saddle.

Yup.

If you want to duplicate your current setup:

1. Measure the distance from the top of your highest fret to the bottom of your current string. (How high the string sits over the fret, IOW.) A machinist's ruler standing on end (read in 64ths of an inch) will do. Or you can just use some object (like a stack of business cards) that'll just fit between the string and the fret top.

2. Put the taper core string on, and tune to pitch.

3. Raise the saddle height adjustment until the new string is the same height over the top fret as your old string. Retune as needed.

There's good info on setups in the tech section of TB. I'm fond of Dan Erlewine's books, too; that's how I learned to do my own setups.

[quadrogong]

Thnx
I missed the word," tapered" when I ordered, I was concentrating on the gauges instead.
The non-tapered came in one guage, not the one I use typically, which threw me off, perhaps.

Ordered it from your link,

Jason at Bass Strings is a
very competent, and trustworthy source,

I'm glad to have found them. Only my second order, but I know I'll be a customer a long time already.

[quadrogong]

Originally Posted by Ewo

I'm fond of Dan Erlewine's books, too; that's how I learned to do my own setups.

Thanx, all..
Could u tell me the title of one good text I should get?
I'd love to learn the basics !